Queen's Birthday 2017 Honours List announced

Medals awarded to Navy personnel in the 2015 Australia Day Honours List - Military Division, from left, Member of the Order of Australia (AM); Commendation for Distinguished Service; Conspicuous Service Cross (CSC); and Conspicuous Service Medal (CSM).

The Governor-General and Chancellor of the Order of Australia, His Excellency General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retd), has approved 891 awards to be announced in the Queen’s Birthday 2017 Honours List.

The List recognises a diverse range of contributions and service across all fields, including professional endeavours, community work, Australia’s Defence Force and Emergency Services.

“To all recipients, I offer my deepest congratulations, admiration and respect for your contribution to our nation,” the Governor-General said.

“We are fortunate as a community to have so many outstanding people willing to dedicate themselves to the betterment of our nation and it is only fitting that they have today been recognised through the Australian Honours system.

“Since 1975 these awards have helped to define, encourage and reinforce Australian goals and values. They identify role models who give without thought of recognition or personal gain.

“Today’s recipients now join the company of almost 50,000 women and men whose meritorious and brave actions have enriched our community and our lives. Their qualities – compassion, dedication, generosity, selflessness, tolerance, and energetic ambition – inspire and motivate us.

“For over 40 years these honours have helped to define, encourage and reinforce our national aspirations and ideals by acknowledging exceptional Australians. Today, we add a new group of names to those we should all admire.

“On behalf of all Australians, I thank them for their contributions. We are a stronger, safer and more caring nation because of them.”

Included in the List are 673 recipients of awards in the General Division of the Order of Australia who have been recognised for contributions and service to fellow citizens in Australia and internationally.

Chair of the Council of the Order of Australia, Air Chief Marshal Sir Angus Houston AK AFC (Retd) said the awards recognise service across a broad range of fields.

“They are public recognition of people who provide outstanding community service and whose achievements enhance national identity," Sir Angus said.

“By their actions they demonstrate the qualities of positive role models. The recipients are not only worthy of respect but encourage emulation.

“These awards also recognise the ‘quiet achievers’ in our midst. They are people who serve the community, but do not seek accolades.

“All Australians are encouraged to nominate fellow citizens who have made outstanding contributions to the wellbeing of others for national recognition in the Honours List.”

The Royal Australian Navy congratulates the 24 Navy recipients listed in the Queen’s Birthday 2017 Honours list. They are:

MEMBER (AM) IN THE MILITARY DIVISION - (MEMBER OF THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA)

Rear Admiral Peter Geoffrey Laver, RAN, NSW

For exceptional service to the Royal Australian Navy in significant Command and Staff roles.

Commodore David Christian Scott, OAM, RAN, ACT

For exceptional service to the field of Australian Defence Force Intelligence and as the Director General Joint Information Environment Warfare.

MEDAL (OAM) IN THE MILITARY DIVISION (MEDAL OF THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA)

Captain Michael John Harris, RAN, NSW

For meritorious service in the field of maritime operations and Navy system command, coordination and management.

Warrant Officer Joanne Maree Jordan, NSW

For meritorious service in personnel management and training in the Royal Australian Navy.

Warrant Officer Arthur Gregory Lavender, WA

For meritorious performance of duty in the field of Combat System Operator procedure and training development.

Captain Malcolm Alexander Ralston, RAN, NSW

For meritorious performance of duty in the field of Navy education and training.

COMMENDATION FOR DISTINGUISHED SERVICE (CDS)

Petty Officer Kevin Michael Paul, NSW

For distinguished performance of duties in warlike operations as the Chief Counter Improvised Explosive Devices Training Advisor of the Afghan National Police Central Training Centre during Operation HIGHROAD.

BAR TO THE CONSPICUOUS SERVICE CROSS (CSC and Bar)

Commander William Le Mesurier Waters, CSC, RAN, USA

For outstanding achievement and leadership in non-warlike operations as the Commanding Officer HMAS Melbourne on Operation MANITOU.

CONSPICUOUS SERVICE CROSS (CSC)

Commander Simon James Cannell, RAN, NSW

For outstanding achievement and devotion to duty in the field of maritime warfare capability development.

Commander Phillip Andrew Henry, RAN, NSW

For outstanding achievement as the Commanding Officer HMAS Darwin on Operation MANITOU during 2016.

Commander Marc Louis Pavillard, RAN, NSW

For outstanding devotion to duty and performance in the field of naval aviation command.

Commander Andrew Thomas Pepper, RAN, NSW

For outstanding devotion to duty as the Executive Officer HMAS Melbourne.

Commander Rachel Emma Thompson, RAN, VIC

For outstanding achievement in the field of Maritime Logistics and Health training management.

Captain Brendon Michael Zilko, RAN, NSW

For outstanding achievement as the Commissioning Executive Officer of HMAS Adelaide.

CONSPICUOUS SERVICE MEDAL (CSM)

Lieutenant Commander Lorrae Blunden, RAN, NSW

For meritorious achievement in the field of military education and training.

Lieutenant Commander Tina Louise Brown, RAN, NSW

For meritorious devotion to duty in the field of maritime leadership as Executive Officer HMAS Darwin.

Chief Petty Officer Peter Ian Cannon, NSW

For meritorious devotion to duty in the field of Navy Weapons Electrical Engineering.

Lieutenant Commander Jodie Elizabeth Dezentje, RANR, ACT

For meritorious devotion to duty in the field of personnel change management in the Navy Aviation Systems Program Office.

Chief Petty Officer Justin Magnus Downey-Price, NSW

For meritorious achievement in the field of Electronic Warfare in the Royal Australian Navy.

Chief Petty Officer Phillip John Hirschausen, NSW

For meritorious achievement in the performance of duty in the field of Navy avionics support.

Able Seaman Daniel John Peters, NSW

For meritorious devotion to duty in the field of Navy training course planning and co-ordination.

Chief Petty Officer Adam Geoffrey Shimmen, NSW

For meritorious devotion to duty in the field of Navy hospitality management.

Chief Petty Officer Andrew Wayne Sims, NSW

For meritorious achievement in the performance of duty in the field of Navy marine engineering.

Chief Petty Officer Robert Strutt, ACT

For meritorious achievement in the performance of duty in the field of Navy aviation support.

The Royal Australian Navy also congratulates all recipients honoured in the list.

Anyone can nominate any Australian for an award in the Order of Australia. If you know someone worthy, nominate them now at www.gg.gov.au